Death Angel The Art Of Dying

Emerging from the San Francisco, Bay Area thrash metal scene, Death Angel began it's musical life in the prime thrash era of the 1980's, starting out as one of the youngest thrash metal bands to make a successful musical career. Their first demo "Kill As One" was produced by none other than Kirk Hammett from Metallica fame. Next came the 1987 debut release of the album "The Ultra Violence" when the drummer Andy Galeon was a mere 14 years old. With things all going well for the band, the further releases of "Frolic Through the Park" and "Act III" followed until the tragic tour bus crash in 1990 which left the drummer Andy critically injured. Vocalist Mark Osegueda soon left, resulting in a change in the band name to "The Organization" (or the "O" as they became popularly known by). Two full-length albums followed and much touring. The band eventually came to an end in 1995, until reuniting in 2001 under their original name "Death Angel". Their long awaited 2004 release "The Art Of Dying", showed great promise for the future life of this maturing and musically talented thrash band.

The tracklisting is as follows:

1. Thrown to the Wolves

2. 5 Steps of Freedom

3. Thicker Than Blood

4. Devil Incarnate

5. Famine

6. Prophecy

7. No

8. Spirit

9. Land of Blood

10. Never Me

11. Word to the Wise

With a more grunge-rock sound than you would have previously expected it to have, the album delivers eleven powerful and well-produced tracks, showing a developing sound for the five members. The chugging thrash guitars are still there behind the now very tight and solid vocals of Mark Osegueda. Think Metallica meets Testament meets Soundgarden meets Freak Of Nature.

The album starts out with a quiet and acoustic intro that sends you off guard for a few seconds, until the fast riffage of Ted Aguilar soon kicks in and we're treated to a fast paced thrash sound with elements of grunge. Each track holds it's own sound and feel, that brings together an album of diversity and flavour.

The Bad Religion homage "Land Of Blood" stands out from the album somewhat, with drummer Andy Galeon and Dennis Pepa taking over the vocals and a vast array of changing tempo and styles building up this inspired track.

All in all, the album is a welcome return for this talented and creative band who still have many years for their music to hopefully make a bigger name for themselves. A great sound throughout and a host of tracks delivering a diverse style with the underlying thrash still coming through. Well worth picking up!

The album is released through Nuclear Blast Records and comes well packaged in a cardboard digi-pak that includes an inlay detailing the lyrics.